Sections 4 and 5 of the Executive Branch Unit
- 1. Section 4: Evolution of the Presidency
- 2. Some feared that the president would overpower state governments using the military or that they would become just a tool of Senate. Their biggest fear: REELECTION (would they try to stay in office for life?)
- 3. Plan 1 for election: Congress to elect the president (quasi-legislative)
- 4. Plan 2 for election Chosen directly by the voters, but would all voters make an informed decision?
- 5. Which one won? Compromise ----- ELECTORAL COLLEGE!!
- 6. The First Presidents Most prominent men in the new nation In the early years the national government had little to do
- 7. The presidency was kept modest, kept simple, ex. Cannot be on a coin until after death - decided by Congress Rarely vetoed, only when law seemed unconstitutional. Washington only used two vetoes. TJ and J Adams used 0.
- 8. Jacksonians Vetoed 12 acts, more than all previous presidents He saw himself as the tribune of the people
- 9. Jacksonians cont. Did not shrink from conflict with Congress, only intensified by their personality Believed in a strong and independent presidency
- 10. Reemergence of Congress After Jackson Congress reestablished much of its power President largely subordinate to Congress “ No Names” Era Only Lincoln broke new ground (implied, inherent, and C in Chief)
- 11. Presidency now and DIVIDED GOVERNMENT What is divided government? One party controls the White House and the other controls Congress 16/24 elections between 1952-2000 produced divided government
- 12. Cont. Many argue that it produces partisan bickering, political paralysis and policy gridlock, but its not clear whether this really happens. Divided Government does well on passing important laws, conducting investigations, and ratifying treaties.
- 13. Cont. Checks and balances ensure the power struggle between the two branches, NOT divided government Mid Term Elections - Presidential party usually loses power
- 14. White House Office- Closest assistants have offices in the west wing They generally oversee the political and policy interests of the presidents Section 5: The White House Office
- 15. They do not have to be confirmed by Senate because they are his/her personal staff They are usually drawn from the ranks of the presidents campaign staff, and long time associates of the president He looks toward the staff for advice
- 16. Different White House Office Structures Pyramid Structure Ike, Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr Most assistants report through a hierarchy to a Chief of Staff who then deals directly with the president
- 17. Circular Structure Carter Cabinet secretaries and assistants report directly to the president
- 18. Ad Hoc Structure Clinton Task forces, committees and informal groups of friends and advisors report to president
- 19. Which would be most effective? What style would you want to have?
- 20. Executive Office of the Presidency Agencies and the bureaucracy These appointments must be confirmed by Senate Helps carry out presidents administration’s responsibilities 3 issues - Domestic, Foreign and Military
- 21. Chief of Staff - Top Aide to pres Manages executive office and can control access to the pres Because of this they have a tremendous impact on the effectiveness of president and Cabinet
- 22. Chief of Staff cont. President has trust in this person usually a long time aide or friend Rahm Emanuel
- 23. National Security Council Headed by the National Security Advisor, Stephen Hadley Direct access to president in matters relating to military and foreign policy
- 24. cont Largely free from congressional oversight and because of this it has become a favorite resource of presidents
- 25. Examples where presidents used the National Security Council JFK-Cuban Missile Crisis Reagan - Iran Contra Bush Sr. and the Gulf War
- 26. Domestic Policy Council Assist president in formulating policies relating to: Energy, education, agriculture, natural resources, economic affairs, health and human resources, welfare reform, drug abuse, crime
- 27. Council of Economic Advisors Help to make national economic policy Designed to increase prosperity
- 28. US Trade Representatives Responsible for negotiating complex trade and tariff agreements for the president GATT (General Agreements on Tariff and Trade) and NAFTA are negotiated by the Trade Representatives on behalf of the president and with the guidance of the White House
- 29. Office of Management and BUDGET Budget Bureau then OMB in 1921 Assembles and analyzes figures that go into the national budget which president submits to Congress
- 30. OMB cont. Studies over executive organizations and their operations Reviews proposals of Cabinet departments Lots of power because they have the ability to allocate $ to Cabinet departments through the budget process
- 31. The Cabinet Procedure of tradition Constitution does not mention this They do not have all that much influence over presidential decisions, but it also matters on the president
- 32. Cabinet cont. 15 major departments, newest is the Department of Homeland Security Can be dismissed at the president’s will